A new Mexican restaurant has opened in the former Jaripeo Mexican Grill in Appleton.
Lucero’s Mexican Restaurant, 3401 E. Evergreen Drive, opened March 5. While its offerings are similar to its predecessor with classic Mexican dishes like fajitas, burritos and tacos, it has a new menu and atmosphere.
Co-owner Sergio Jimenez, who runs the business with sisters Fe Rivas Lucero and Mary Rivas Lucero, said the menu features new food, desserts, drinks and other items. The restaurant also has a patio during the summer season, a private room for events and a full bar.
The three have been in the Mexican restaurant industry in northeastern Wisconsin for over 24 years. Mary said it was Fe who embarked on the new business venture of opening Lucero’s Mexican Restaurant, inviting Mary and Jimenez as partners.
“We really love the customer service aspect and serving people good food that makes them happy, so when Fe brought this to us, we were excited to join,” Mary said. “It’s been a blessing and a joy to see people excited about the new additions since we opened.”
Jaripeo Mexican Grill closed in November after 20 years of business. Customers of the former restaurant can expect similar faces as many former employees were re-hired, including the cooks.
“There’s a little bit of everything in our menu, and we worked very closely with the cooks to include items they know from the previous restaurant but also offer new things,” Fe said. “We’re working with a very great team and it’s been going very well. I’m so excited because most people have loved the new food and have been happy to see a lot of the same faces working here.”
The name Lucero comes from Fe and Mary’s mother whose last name is Rivas Lucero. They wanted to honor their mother and their family’s background.
“We especially picked it because we learned a lot from my mom,” Mary said. “She always taught us how to cook and still gives us a lot of advice on how to do better in Mexican dishes, so we owe a lot to her.”
For more information and updates, visit lucerosmexicanrestaurantwi.com or its Facebook page.
Faith Huey is a business reporter for The Appleton Post-Crescent. You can reach her at fhuey@usatodayco.com or view her Instagram profile at @Faith.Huey.
This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: New Mexican restaurant opens in former Jaripeo in Appleton | The Buzz
Reporting by Faith Huey, Appleton Post-Crescent / Appleton Post-Crescent
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
